A new sunrise

Let us welcome...

A new sunrise,

leaving behind,

the past mistakes,

days that's unkind. 

The promises broken,

our hurts and betrayals, 

the shame and regrets,

stopping us, from moving forward. 

Let us forget...

Even the jubilant success,

glory of our achievements, 

making ourselves proud, 

by attaining better positions. 

All the wonderful meetings,

building bonds with many,

with some special connections, 

creating beautiful memories. 

So, we celebrate, 

giving farewell to year's end,

in our dances, in our songs,

with loud displays and fanfare. 

The night feels great,

till our energy lasted,

we gather, we share,

all the feelings, that we care... 

Then, the sky spread its radiance,

when the golden sun rise,

making us free of the weariness, 

from all of our activities. 

And we feel the warmth, 

in our euphoric heart,

a new day has come...

It's a new sunrise.

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year 2024.

Body's own enemy

Our body is our friend,

a vehicle that work for mind,

the more we care its need,

better our health would be... 

But there are things beyond control,

affecting ourselves without our fault, 

when the friends become enemy,

there is no protection from within. 

Immunity, a lethal force...

Fight the anomalies affecting us,

infection, inflammation, infestations,

nothing can survive for very long. 

But sometimes things go astray,

a hyperreaction to stimulus unknown,

and then symptoms follow...

That could become mild or severe. 

Be it superficial allergies,

from pollens or insect stings,

or damage to multiple organs,

eating life from the inside.

To become part of the unlucky few,

these diseases are tough to manage,

making us appreciate normal days,

when precautions could have tried. 

So, let's be more aware of our health,

there's always hope, not to despair,

with lifestyle changes and medications,

find ways to calm these hyperactive reactions. 

So that we live a long and healthy life,

for, us human are strong, resilient beings. 

Would you know?

Would you know?

If I don't speak,

when I look into your eyes... 

In those smiles, 

uncertain gaze,

there were a thousand feelings... 

Then you hold,

my hand so close,

assure this anxious mind...

And we talk,

mundane things,

savoring those moments... 

Share those plans,

some future adventures, 

to be explored together... 

Then we cuddle,

watching the sky,

hoping it to last forever... 

As the clock runs,

and the world moved,

we wished to pause the time...

For, words of love,

convey our thoughts,

but we crave those bonding... 

So, you would know...

If I don't say,

when we look...at each other.

Vanishing wasteland

They are called wastelands,

for, they are of no use,

in the language of business, 

they did not generate revenue.

Be the desserts, or grasslands,

riverine and coastal sandy areas,

even the wetlands and mangroves,

with ravines, scrubland and snow covers. 

But, the parameters were narrow,

only serving their own goals,

ignoring social and cultural values,

even their historical connections.

Many are facing habitat loss,

there's also damage to ecosystems,

for, these barren lands were home...

To the rich and diverse lifeforms. 

The vast extending flatlands,

with surrounding scrub forests,

is teeming with unique biodiversities, 

be it tiny insects or larger creatures.

Even the grassland and water bodies,

home to many plants and invertebrates, 

playing crucial role in the food chain,

and survival of life in this planet. 

Ill-informed attempts to modify landscapes,

will eventually have their consequences,

when roads and infrastructures gets damaged, 

forcing those places to be abandoned. 

Only then they would realize...

True wastelands are the lifeless ones,

polluted and poisoned by human greed,

through their unsustainable development. 

Feminine and Masculine

The nature has bestowed,

qualities for our humble abode,

letting us appreciate the beauty,

of ourselves and other's aesthetics. 

It's the traits that we admire,

getting charmed by their allure,

from its attraction, desires are born,

or bring out respect and devotion. 

From time immemorial, 

there was an appreciation, 

for, it was considered divine,

were practiced to be refined. 

The energy feminine, the yin,

empathetic, compassionate and caring,

and the energy masculine, the yang,

confident, protective and logical. 

The divine womb of mother earth (feminine),

the nurturing, generous and vulnerable, 

would complete the cosmic consciousness(masculine), 

embracing the power, strength and its rationale.

So, when did we start to alienate?

Demonize these energies as we equate,

adding words like toxic and conservative,

misusing terms like patriarchy and feminism. 

Society have their fault lines,

ills are not broken by closing eyes,

yet, every principle has to be valued,

given due consideration before discarding. 

Let us be more aware of these qualities, 

not put our labels against its viability, 

for, all of us demonstrates its presence,

when faced with situations and challenges.

Only then....there would be true harmony.

The bicycles

From a preschooler to sophomores,

daily workers to pro athletes, 

office goers or housewives,

all loved pushing pedals with their feet.

Invented as a running machine,

nicknamed as a hobbyhorse,

from France, England and Germany,

modified and promoted, to the masses.

From wooden frame to cast iron,

it changed many platforms,

for every needs and necessities

it became our beloved companion. 

Wheels have always been a factor,

to drive the growth of civilization,

be it transports and communication,

winning many struggles for power.

So, this modern discovery also stars,

in making our generation comfortable, 

though contributions have been silent,

yet, its importance had always been seen. 

But advent of motors and engines,

have reduced its value in societies,

for, easy accessibility of a product,

made it an object of indifference. 

With little glamour the craze do grow,

though soon falls, without sustained flow,

some niche market had them supported,

without interventions, it would miss the targets.

Yes, it's our humble bicycle, 

was part of me during school days,

now seldom seen around city traffic,

having missed its prime, forgotten by many.

Introspection

"Knowing self is the beginning of all wisdom" 

Introspection...

An inner knowing,

a capacity to understand, 

and accept our emotions,

without feeling the guilt,

to suppress difficult ones. 

Building bodily awareness, 

forming deeper connections,

opening up to muted pain and sufferings,

when we achieve clarity,

about the relationship of mind and body. 

When we listen to the cues,

tending to their openings, 

all the heavy feelings get outlets,

without getting stuck inside,

keeping us healthy and happy. 

Introspection...

Let us be mindful,

of our thoughts and behaviors, 

conveyed in our actions,

being in control of our mind,

through our inner awareness. 

For, it will make us better,

regulating our heart desires,

by practicing them daily,

through meditation or controlled breathing, 

and giving due attention to our body. 

Be it our conscience, 

the projection of our consciousness, 

that let us have the rein,

of the various senses,

that influences our response.

The carried whispers

I have many names,

every place, I would change,

like the wind, I would flow,

carrying the surrounding stories. 

I have traveled far and wide,

been trivial or changed the tide,

I was welcomed by curious minds,

with their ears open and wide. 

Be it gossips of housewives,

talking about their town lives,

or the lovers in the night,

sharing passion hidden from sights. 

Be it the mother's lullaby,

calming their child to sleep,

or wishes from silent prayers,

in their devotion and care. 

In the parent's grief,

or their unspoken pain,

families that's broken away,

in the passages of the time.

In the moments of new birth,

at the time of someone's dying, 

those chatters, the cacophony, 

or muffled sounds of missed promises. 

I am your whisper, I carry your will,

I have no direction, or destination to be,

sharing the secrets and stories as I travel,

that need to be conveyed...to different ears.

Imposter

There are days I wonder...

If I am nothing but a pretender,

wearing a mask of diligence, 

to live my life as an imposter.

The thoughts, and impulses,

shadow of my hidden desires,

all have contrary indications,

to the characteristics I aspire. 

Is it all a sham ?

The feelings and emotions,

dreams that I am chasing,

to find my satisfaction.

And I would soon realize,

the futility of false rides,

regretting the choices made,

when left with emptiness. 

Still I have hopes,

that there are ways of finding truth,

even if I don't always practice,

the words I would preach

We all have different thoughts, 

some we speak, some kept secret,

for, once they were found,

it would break the image we created.

In that sense, aren't we all imposter?

Integrity

It's a treasure so rare,

a quality that is few,

a temperament that some share,

a heart that is true. 

Not something money can buy,

or a thing that can be faked,

it has to be earned with care,

not leaving it halfway. 

It's the strength of the will,

the foundation of your character,

that gives you the direction,

to take pride in yourself. 

And you will gain the respect,

from every section of society,

trusted with their requirements, 

being grateful of your assistance. 

But it's not a one time thing,

requires commitment of a lifetime,

like a mountain facing the nature,

be it calm or extreme weather. 

To be just and sincere,

be it our thoughts or action,

standing for what you believe in,

even if it's an unpopular opinion. 

And you will be rewarded, 

with happiness and contentment,

for, you have lived an honest life,

living behind a legacy...to be remembered. 

Gray

What can I say,

not much to convey,

even in your disdain,

it's indeed colorless.

It's been too long,

have lost my sparkles,

in the world of rainbow,

I might have become gray. 

I had my days,

influenced by the urges,

even small momentum,

would have made me stray.

Yet, I ignored the play,

it was never my way,

been too self-centered...

To be part of this game. 

I never swayed,

still it always weighed,

in my thoughts and impulses,

to ever be given away.

Now in the midway,

a forlorn attempt to escape,

from this region of gray,

for, it's never too late.

Beacon of hope

In the darkness of the world,

it comes as a glimmer of hope,

bestowing us with its luminescence,

brightening up our clouded mind. 

In different shades of white,

lighten the path with its shine,

it's like our beacon ray,

in the dark blue sky. 

And it will guide the way,

cheering our efforts every day,

when we come home tired,

while lying out in the open. 

The clouds are transient,

stars too dim and far 

the earth seems dark and drear,

but the moon radiates a serene glow. 

And we stretch our arms,

in our desire to transform,

striving for the vision of perfection,

motivated by our object of admiration. 

The source of our inspiration, 

influencing our dreams and imagination,

let our spirit soar to the heights, 

finally be at the realm of moonlight. 

And our wishes would come true,

the desires and aspirations that's due,

let all the shadows vanishes by the shine,

in the stillness of dark night.

In your eyes

In the dark nothingness, 

searching within my closed eyes,

like a glimpse, an after image,

I could only see your face... 

It was your eyes,

that struck my heart,

lovely and dazzling shine,

from the day we met.

In days of our innocence, 

being shy, stealing glances,

finding courage, going on dates,

bonding over the coffee breaks. 

Have I ever mentioned,

temptations of your eyes,

that entices, and enchants,

the very essence of my being.

Those dark brown eyes,

like a deep dark ocean,

where I want to dive,

to reach the door...to your heart. 

In those depth I could see,

beautiful soul, glowing and clear,

and I drowned in its embrace,

feeling it so close, so near.

It's like a dream come true,

when we look at each other,

been so lucky to have found you,

I would keep cherishing you forever.

Ocean treasure hunt

The vast expanse of the ocean,

no one knows the extent of its boundaries, 

and in the very depth of its bottom,

lies the secrets waiting to be revealed. 

It's deep and dark inside,

no sane man wants to try,

they were aware of the consequences, 

of making light of the dangers.

So they avoid to even venture,

and seek the promised treasures,

maps were drawn, tales were told,

and spread between the sailors. 

There were stories of wars,

between nations for the power,

there were merchants facing raids,

by the greedy, barbaric pirates.

There were many unfortunate ones,

being lured by the mermaid songs,

and they followed being lovestruck,

to the fate of their demise. 

Then came the courageous ones,

seeking the joy of adventures, 

as they solved the puzzles,

that were passed down as legends.

Learning directions, creating their path,

facing their fear with strong heart,

embarking in this perilous journey,

of finding the treasures of lost past. 

Passing through the misty maze,

ignoring the charm of beautiful mermaids,

moving steadfast, through the obstacles,

closing ears to their enchanting voice.

When destination was within their reach,

strapped the gears, for a deep dive,

towards the wrecks of gallant warriors,

bravehearts that fell protecting the treasure. 

With blue eyes, and long fair hair,

mermaids were witnessing their dare,

as heroes unravel the sunken riches,

those artifacts, gold and precious stones.

Unfazed by the wails of dead sailors,

haunting the ship's dark corridors,

bringing those treasures back to world,

creating new lore of their adventures. 

Gender fluidity

We are a consciousness, 

within a physical body,

formless, ageless, gender less entity. 

Yet, in real life...

Our interactions and influences,

forms our individual identity. 

From our parents, 

from our friends,

from the school teaching.

From the media,

from peer pressure,

from the notions prevalent in society. 

So, they ask the definitions, 

male, female or something more,

to enter into any relationship.

When they get more freedom,

some thrills and experimentation, 

letting them create gender fluidity. 

For, now it's more vocal,

spreading like a forest fire

indeed becoming a mystery.

I, too, have wondered,

just as a curious onlooker,

as they open the pandora box. 

For, innumerable thoughts take their wings,

without direction, seeking the unknown things,

losing the path of an eventual return.

And then, would we have clarity ?

To follow things with our reasoning, 

without fearing any repercussions.

Weekend outings

I need a break...

Been working for too long,

to refresh my tired heart,

exhausted from all the toil.

The weekend is approaching,

I would have my rest,

but this time there's a feeling,

to not let it waste. 

The mountains are calling,

so are the oceans,

alluring me with fresh air,

and clear sky to be seen.

So, let me flee,

this city of concrete, 

to a place too far,

that I could reach...with my feet. 

Let me explore the jungles,

relying on my primary instincts,

harvest my food stockpile,

gathered from trees and ground.

Let me lie on the warm sand,

while basking under the afternoon sun,

dozing off while daydreaming,

waking up to sounds of crashing waves. 

Let me hike the hills,

though the treacherous routes,

getting drenched in the rain,

taking covers under makeshift huts.

Taking bath in remote springs,

swimming in those ponds,

having breakfast and coffee, 

while enjoying the scenery. 

And I would welcome anything exciting, 

for the joy of adventure and exploring,

that would bring some spontaneity, 

in this life of monotonous routine. 

I know, weekend is not long,

but with will, anything is possible,

as long as I take the initiative, 

to break free of these chains...of dormancy.